Weft thread control apparatus

ABSTRACT

After the pick of the reversible gripper shuttle with a clamp weft thread, a control member, mounted on the slay, is driven to pull out the picked weft thread from the clamping means of the gripper shuttle, and to simultaneously sever a previously picked weft thread which is held by a feeding member which inserts the same into the gripper shuttle so that the reverse gripper shuttle can be picked in the opposite direction with the newly inserted weft thread.

United States Patent inventor Vladimir Svaty Liherec, Czechoslovakia Appl. No 856,344 Filed Sept. 9, 1969 Patented July 13, 1971 Assignee Elitex, Zavodig 'lextilniho Strojirenstwi Liberec, Czechoslovakia Priority Sept. 13, 1968 Czechoslovakia PV 6428 WEFI THREAD CONTROL APPARATUS 10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 139/125, 139/122 int. Cl 003d 47/24, D03d 47/34 FieldofSearch 139/l22,1,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1487.436 12/1969 Svaty et al7 .7 139/125 Primary Examiner-Henry S. Jaudon Attorney-Michael S. Striker ABSTRACT: After the pick of the reversible gripper shuttle with a clamp weft thread, a control member, mounted on the slay, is driven to pull out the picked weft thread from the clamping means of the gripper shuttle, and to simultaneously sever a previously picked weft thread which is held by a feeding member which inserts the same into the gripper shuttle so that the reverse gripper shuttle can be picked in the opposite direction with the newly inserted weft thread.

PATENTEU JUU 3 I971 SHEET 1 OF 2 14.1,, ATTORNEY m T N E V m mmm mry PATENIEU .mu 3 m1 SHEET 2 [1F 2 INVENTOR Vmmm 3' Mr ATTORNEY WEFI THREAD CONTROL APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Looms are known in which gripper shuttles are picked into shuttle boxes which are turned l80 so that the shuttle is reversed, and can be picked in the opposite direction. The shuttle box is provided with brake means for the picked shuttle. A control member is operated to pull out the picked weft thread from the clamping means of the gripper shuttle, and cutting means are operated to cut off the previously picked weft thread, which is held by a feeding member, and inserted into the gripper shuttle so that the same can be picked in the opposite direction.

Looms of this type are disclosed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,315,709, and 3,330,305, and related apparatus is disclosed in the copending application Ser. No. 700,308, and Ser. No. 714,123 which are assigned to the assignee of the present application. I

In accordance with the prior art, the precise position of the gripper shuttle in the shuttle box, the pulling out of the picked weft thread end from the gripper shuttle, and the insertion of the previously picked and now again to be picked weft thread into the clamping means of the gripper shuttle, as well as the cutting of this weft thread adjacent the gripper shuttle, are carried out by independent devices.

The precise feeding position of the gripper shuttle in the shuttle box is determined by the same device which'damps the impact of the gripper shuttle in the shuttle box, and which also accelerates the shuttle for the pick. This device must adjust the position of the gripper shuttle before the feeding of a new weft thread, which is usually carried out by moving the gripper shuttle toward the warp shed and the reed.

The withdrawal of the end of the picked weft thread from the clamping means of the gripper shuttle is carried out in the prior art by a needle which guides the weft thread into the path of a moving cutter which cuts the new 'weft thread between the fabric selvedge and the clamping means of the gripper shuttle.

Due to the fact that the devices of the prior art are located between the shuttle box and the reed, the distance between the gripper and the fabric selvedge is increased so that the weft thread end which is held by the clamping means of the gripper shuttle, and which is later withdrawn from the same and cut off, is of considerable length. Also, the adjustment and maintenance of the several devices required for operations after each pick, is complicated so that the operational speed of the loom is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is one object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages of known devices controlling the necessary operations after a pick of a weft thread, and to effect the withdrawal of a picked weft thread from the gripper shuttle by the same member which determines the position of the gripper shuttle during this operation.

Another object of the invention is to use the same control member for withdrawing a picked weft thread from the clamping means of the gripper shuttle, and for cutting the next following weft thread adjacent the gripper shuttle after insertion of the respective weft thread into the same.

Another object of the invention is to use the same control member which withdraws a picked weft thread from the clamping means of the shuttle, for determining the threadchanging position of the shuttle.

In accordance with the invention, the end of a picked weft thread is withdrawn directly after the gripper shuttle is stopped in the thread-changing position. By a relative movement between the shuttle box with the gripper shuttle, and a feeding member holding the weft thread to be picked; the clamping means of the gripper shuttle is opened for the insertion of the respective weft thread.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a slay rockable between operative and retracted positions, and including a reed and a shuttle box; a gripper shuttle located in the shuttle box for clamping a newly picked tensioned first weft thread and being biassed by the same toward the reed; a control member mounted on the slay for reciprocating movement and being located between the shuttle box and the reed so that the gripper shuttle abuts the control member in athread changing position due to the action of the tensioned first weft thread; drive means for reciprocating the control member so that the same engages the newly picked first weft thread and pulls the same out of the gripper shuttle in the thread-changing position; and feeding means for inserting a second weft thread into the gripper shuttle in the thread-changing position.

The feeding means includes a feeding member holding a second weft thread picked'before'the first weft thread, and being located in the path of movement of the gripper shuttle rocking with the slay so as to open the clamping means of the gripper shuttle and insert the second weft thread into the same after the end of the first weft thread has been pulled out from the clamping means of the gripper shuttle by the control member.

The control member preferably has a first recess for engaging the first weft thread, and a second recess with a cutting edge for engaging and cutting the second weft thread.

The weft thread end pulled out of the clamping means of the gripper shuttle, is pushed by the control member to a position in which it is sucked by suction means to a position adjacent the selvedge of the fabric.

Preferably, the control member is mounted for angular movement about a pivot axis on the slay, and reciprocated by cam means and cam follower means so that the control member performs a fast stroke for performing its functions during an oscillating stroke of the slay.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in. particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front view, partially in section, illustratin g a portion of a loom provided with the weft thread control apparatus of the invention, and showing the gripper shuttle in the shuttle box;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation illustrating the drive of the ap" paratus;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the apparatus in the position after the picking of a first weft thread;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating another operational position of the apparatus in which the end of the picked weft thread is pulled out of the gripper shuttle while a new weft thread is prepared for insertion into the gripper shuttle;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentaryperspective view illustrating an operational position of the apparatus in which the withdrawn weft thread end is delivered to suction means, while a new weft thread is inserted into the gripper shuttle; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the position of the apparatus after severing of the newly inserted weft thread, and while the gripper shuttle with the inserted weft thread is being reversed for the next following pick.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A slay l ismounted on a rotary shaft 18 for rocking movement,-and.carries a shuttle box 11 and a reedlZ. Agripper shuttle 8 is shown in a channel of the shuttle box 11; which is turnable an angle of for reversing the gripper shuttle for a return pick.

A cam 17 is fixedly secured to shaft 18 for rotation therewith, and cooperates with a cam follower roller 16 mounted on a cam follower lever 14 which is turnable about a pivot mounted on slay l, and is urged by a spring 19 into engagement with cam 17. The other end of lever 14 is connected by a link 13 to a control member 3 which is mounted on a pivot secured to the slay 1. During rocking of slay l, cam 17 drives control member 3 to turn in a fast stroke about pivot pin 2 so that a pair of recesses 4 and 5 at the free end of control member 3 perform a fast stroke relative to slay 1. As shown in FIG. I, control member 3 is located between the reed l2 and the shuttle box 11 with gripper shuttle 8. Control member 3 is also located adjacent the selvedge of a fabric 25 formed of warp threads 20, and weft threads, of which the last picked weft thread 6, and the previously picked weft thread 7 are shown in FIGS. 3 to 6.

Control member 3 is a flat plate so that shuttle box 11 can be provided spaced a short distance from the selvedge of fabric 25. Control member 3 has a lateral surface 3a which due to its substantial width remains in front of gripper shuttle 8 during a substantial angular movement of control member 3.

A piston is mounted in a cylinder 10 and has a piston rod 3 which pushes the gripper shuttle 8 to a thread changing position in which the clamping end of gripper shuttle 8 abuts the lateral face 3a of control member 3. In the position of FIG. 3 in which weft thread 6 has just been picked by the gripper shuttle 8, and is still held by the clamping means including a fixed portion 23 and a resilient blade 24, the weft thread is tensioned due to the provision of tensioning the means 21 which frictionally hold the weft thread 6 supplied from a supply bobbin 27. Weft thread 6 passes through recess 4 in the position of FIG. 3, while the gripper shuttle abuts the lateral face 3a of control member 3. The picked gripper shuttle 8 is braked in the shuttle box ll, whereupon it assumes the thread-changing position of FIG. 3.

As is apparent from the drawing, the plate-shaped control member 3 moves in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of pivot 2, and transverse to the direction of the weft threads, while being parallel to the selvedge of the fabric 25.

While control member 3 is angularly reeiprocated under the Further movement of the slay l with the shuttle box 11 and gripper shuttle 8 results in bending of the resilient blade 24 to a position permitting insertion of weft thread 7 into the clamping means 23, 24, as shown in FIG. 5, while at the same time the pulled out end of weft thread 6 is placed by control member 3 in the region of the opening 26 of a suction pipe which holds the end of thread 6, as shown in FIG. 6. The best over end of thread 6 is placed parallel to the selvedge of the fabric 25.

Feeding member 22 which opens blade 24 for withdrawal of the end of weft thread 6, and also inserts weft thread 7 into the clamping means 23, 24, guides the weft thread 7 from the supply bobbin, not shown, to the clamping means 23, 24.

When control member 3 moves from the position of FIG. 5 to the position of FIG. 6, the edge of recess 5, which is either sharpened or formed as a cutting edge of a cutter inserted into control member 3, severs weft thread 7 between the selvedge control of cam 17, it also moves with the rocking slay I on which it is mounted .by pivot pin 2.

FIG. 3 shows the position of the apparatus directly after the pick of gripper shuttle 8 with weft thread 6 held by clamping means 23, 24. The gripper shuttle has entered the shuttle box 11, moving to the right, and has been braked in the same. Since the weft thread 6 is tensioned by the tensioning device 21, gripper shuttle 8, if not sufficiently braked in shuttle box 11, would be pulled toward the shed by the tensioned thread 6. Also, due to the simultaneously acting piston rod 9, the gripper shuttle 8 is moved toward the shed until its rear end with the clamping means 23, 24 abuts the lateral face 3a of control member 3 which at this moment of the loom operations has been placed by cam 17 in the position shown in FIG. 3 in which it has moved to a position behind the rear end of gripper shuttle 8, while the edge of recess 4 has not yet engaged weft thread 6. The lateral face 3a of control member 3 exactly defines the position of gripper shuttle 8 which is desired for the thread-changing operations.

During further angular movement of control member 3 due to the action of control cam 17, the position of FIG. 4 is assumed in which the bottom of recess 4 has engaged weft thread 6 and pulled its end out of the clamping means 23, 24. At the same time, recess 5 engages a previously inserted weft thread 7, which is now to be picked during the next operation of gripper shuttle 8 in the opposite direction. Feeding member 22 which has an eye through which weft thread 7 passes to a weft thread supply bobbin, not shown, corresponding to bobbin 27 on the other side of the loom, engages at this moment the resilient blade 24 and opens the clamping means 23, 24 so that the pulling out of the end of weft thread 6 by control member 3 is facilitated.

and the clamping means 23, 24 so that only a short piece of the end of the portion of weft thread 7 between clamping means 23, 24 and the supply bobbin, not shown, projects from clamping means 23, 24. At this time, slay 1 begins to move away from its operative beating position, together with shuttle box 11 and gripper shuttle 8. Due to the movement of gripper shuttle 8, weft thread 7 is pressed against the cutting edge of recess 5 of control member 3 so that weft thread 7 is severed between control member 3 and clamping means 23, 24. Finally, the gripper shuttle 8 is turned with the shuttle box ll so that the gripper shuttle is reversed and ready for a pick in the opposite direction during which weft thread 7 will be inserted into the warp shed following weft thread 6 again. Due to the action of cam 17, control member 3 returns to its initial position in which another weft thread can be picked from the other side of the loom, as described for weft thread 6. After the shuttle 8 has then again arrived in the shuttle box, control member 3 moves again forward to the position of FIG. 3.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of weft thread control apparatus differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a control member for pulling out a weft thread end from a gripper shuttle, and for severing another weft thread after insertion into the gripper shuttle, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Weft thread control apparatus comprising, in combination, a slay rockable between operative and retracted positions, and including a reed and a shuttle box; a gripper shuttle located in said shuttle box for clamping a just picked and tensioned first weft thread and being biassed by the same toward said reed; a control member mounted on said slay for reciprocating movement between a thread-changing position in which said shuttle abuts the same, and a retracted position out of the path of travel of said shuttle, and being located between said shuttle box and said reed so that said gripper shuttle abuts said control member in said thread-changing position when moving toward said reed; drive means for reciprocating said control member so that the same engages said just picked first weft thread and pulls the end of the same out of said gripper shuttle in said thread-changing position; and feeding means for inserting a second weft thread into said gripper shuttle in said thread-changing position.

2. Weft thread control apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said feeding means includes a feeding member positioning and guiding a second weft thread picked before said first weft thread; wherein said feeding member is located at the path of movement of said gripper shuttle rocking with said slay so as to insert said second weft thread into said gripper shuttle; wherein said control member engages also said second thread and severs the same adjacent said gripper shuttle; and wherein said control member moves during the movement of said slay to said retracted position away from said gripper shuttle so that said gripper shuttle can be picked.

3. Weft thread control apparatus as claimed in claim 2 comprising mounting means for mounting said shuttle box for turning movement with said gripper shuttle between a shuttle receiving position and a shuttle picking position in which said gripper shuttle is reversed; and wherein said gripper shuttle abuts said control member in said thread-changing position when said shuttle box is in said receiving position.

4. Weft thread control apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said slay includes pivot means for mounting said control member for angular reciprocating movement relative to said slay; wherein said control member has an edge formed with a first recess for engaging said first weft thread and with a second recess for engaging said second weft thread; and wherein said control member has a lateral face on which said gripper shuttle abuts in said thread-changing position.

5. Weft thread control apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said second recess has a cutting edge for severing said second weft thread.

6. Weft thread control apparatuses claimed in claim 5 comprising a cutting member attached to said control member in said second recess and having said cutting edge.

7. Weft thread control apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said drive means includes a rotary shaft carrying said slay for rocking motion, a control cam secured to said shaft, a spring-biassed cam follower cooperating with said control cam, and a link connecting said cam follower with said control member whereby the latter makes a short motion during each rocking motion of said slay so that said first and second recesses engages and displace said first and second weft threads, respectively.

8. Weft thread control apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said gripper shuttle has clamping means for weft threads including a resilient clamping member; wherein said clamping member engages said feeding member during movement of said slay so that said clamping means is opened and said second thread can be inserted by said feeding member before being severed by said control member.

9. Weft thread control apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said control member is mounted on said slay for pivotal movement about a pivot axis, and is a flat plate located and moving in a plane perpendicular to said pivot axis; comprising suction means located in said plane; and wherein said control member bends the pulled out end of said first weft thread into said plane.

10. Weft thread control apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said drive means include a means for moving said control member in a fast stroke in one direction in said plane and relative to said slay during each rocking stroke of said slay to said operative position so that said first weft thread is pulled out of said gripper shuttle and said second weft thread is severed by said control member while said gripper shuttle in said thread-changing position abuts said control member. 

1. Weft thread control apparatus comprising, in combination, a slay rockable between operative and retracted positions, and including a reed and a shuttle box; a gripper shuttle located in said shuttle box for clamping a just picked and tensioned first weft thread and being biassed by the same toward said reed; a control Member mounted on said slay for reciprocating movement between a thread-changing position in which said shuttle abuts the same, and a retracted position out of the path of travel of said shuttle, and being located between said shuttle box and said reed so that said gripper shuttle abuts said control member in said thread-changing position when moving toward said reed; drive means for reciprocating said control member so that the same engages said just picked first weft thread and pulls the end of the same out of said gripper shuttle in said thread-changing position; and feeding means for inserting a second weft thread into said gripper shuttle in said thread-changing position.
 2. Weft thread control apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said feeding means includes a feeding member positioning and guiding a second weft thread picked before said first weft thread; wherein said feeding member is located at the path of movement of said gripper shuttle rocking with said slay so as to insert said second weft thread into said gripper shuttle; wherein said control member engages also said second thread and severs the same adjacent said gripper shuttle; and wherein said control member moves during the movement of said slay to said retracted position away from said gripper shuttle so that said gripper shuttle can be picked.
 3. Weft thread control apparatus as claimed in claim 2 comprising mounting means for mounting said shuttle box for turning movement with said gripper shuttle between a shuttle receiving position and a shuttle picking position in which said gripper shuttle is reversed; and wherein said gripper shuttle abuts said control member in said thread-changing position when said shuttle box is in said receiving position.
 4. Weft thread control apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said slay includes pivot means for mounting said control member for angular reciprocating movement relative to said slay; wherein said control member has an edge formed with a first recess for engaging said first weft thread and with a second recess for engaging said second weft thread; and wherein said control member has a lateral face on which said gripper shuttle abuts in said thread-changing position.
 5. Weft thread control apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said second recess has a cutting edge for severing said second weft thread.
 6. Weft thread control apparatuses claimed in claim 5 comprising a cutting member attached to said control member in said second recess and having said cutting edge.
 7. Weft thread control apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said drive means includes a rotary shaft carrying said slay for rocking motion, a control cam secured to said shaft, a spring-biassed cam follower cooperating with said control cam, and a link connecting said cam follower with said control member whereby the latter makes a short motion during each rocking motion of said slay so that said first and second recesses engage and displace said first and second weft threads, respectively.
 8. Weft thread control apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said gripper shuttle has clamping means for weft threads including a resilient clamping member; wherein said clamping member engages said feeding member during movement of said slay so that said clamping means is opened and said second thread can be inserted by said feeding member before being severed by said control member.
 9. Weft thread control apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said control member is mounted on said slay for pivotal movement about a pivot axis, and is a flat plate located and moving in a plane perpendicular to said pivot axis; comprising suction means located in said plane; and wherein said control member bends the pulled out end of said first weft thread into said plane.
 10. Weft thread control apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said drive means include a means for moving said control member in a fast stroke in one direction in said plane and relative to said slay during each rocking stroke of said slay to said operative position so that said first weft thread is pulled out of said gripper shuttle and said second weft thread is severed by said control member while said gripper shuttle in said thread-changing position abuts said control member. 